Tucumcari, NM Neon Repair After May 2023 Storms

On Thursday, May 25, 2023, one of the most famous towns along Route 66 - Tucumcari, New Mexico - was hit hard by dangerous storms that included up to 3inch, Baseball Size Hail. More severe weather hit the area in the days following May 25th.

The following list of New Mexico Route 66 Businesses have suffered damage and are included in this project. In Alphabetical Order:

Americana Motel

Blvd Cleaner Laundromat

Buckaroo Motel

Del’s Restaurant

La Cita Restaurant

Loretta’s Burrito Hut

Motel Safari

Odeon Theatre

Pow Wow Restaurant

Rt 66 Welcome Center and Gift Shop (Townhouse)

Tee Pee Curios

November 2023 Update:

The Bright-Neon-Glow we have all enjoyed down Route 66 Boulevard and other areas around town are starting to glow again! But we still need help from the Route 66 community worldwide!!

Updates of the Tucumcari Neon Restoration Project are posted here on GoFundMe and also on our website: RT66NM.org.

Businesses are looking into the possibility of their insurance covering any of the cost to replace the neon and repair any further damage of scratched paint, dents, etc.. Most likely insurance will only cover a portion of the cost if they cover any of it at all.

While they are researching ways to cover the cost of replacing and repairing, the association has set up this GoFundMe account to accept donations to contribute to the cost of repairing these signs.

Also, please pass on the word to our Route 66 community members who are not on social media, don’t do GoFundMe, or simply wish to send a check or money order to help, they can be mailed to our office at:

New Mexico Route 66 Association

1415 Central Avenue NE

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106 USA

PLEASE NOTE: Checks should be made out to New Mexico Route 66 Association. Please be sure to write in the check memo or on a separate piece of paper your donation is for “Tucumcari Neon Restoration from May 2023 Storms”.

PLEASE NOTE: For those who wish to drop off checks, Money Orders or Cash at our office: Please do NOT leave them at the 66 Diner! Your donation might get lost making its way from the diner to our office next door. Our physical office is the building the sign collage is hanging on to the east of the 66 Diner parking lot. If you go to the first door along Central Avenue behind the sign collage, there is a door with 1415 on it. Ring the doorbell. If no one answers, look down and to your left - you should see our mail drop slot. Donations can be deposited in this mail slot.

You may also give your donations to any NM Route 66 Association Board Member or Officer. See our website for a list of current board members: (rt66nm.org > who are we) https://www.rt66nm.org/who-we-are.html#/

Thank you in advance for your support.

Melissa Lea Beasley-Lee

President, New Mexico Route 66 Association